Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Speakers
Four speakers compared, from the Pebble Pro to the G560, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Gaming speakers add punch and lighting to a desk. Every pick is aimed at gaming, ordered by peak power.
Our comparison rests on published figures for form, peak power and inputs; where a maker leaves out peak power, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Peak Power
Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers
The highest peak power here (240W).
Best for: Buyers who put peak power first.
Our take Check price for Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers
2.75in drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.75in drivers.
Our take Check price for Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Creative Pebble Pro USB-C Desktop Speakers
The lowest price among these speakers at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Creative Pebble Pro USB-C Desktop Speakers (opens in a new tab)
Desktop Soundbar Form
Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar
A desktop soundbar form.
Best for: Buyers who want a desktop soundbar form.
Our take Check price for Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest peak power here (240W). | Buyers who put peak power first. | Check price for Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
| 2.75in drivers. | Buyers who want 2.75in drivers. | Check price for Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these speakers at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Creative Pebble Pro USB-C Desktop Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
| A desktop soundbar form. | Buyers who want a desktop soundbar form. | Check price for Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Peak Power1 of 4
Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G560 is a 2.1 set with a separate subwoofer, DTS:X virtual surround and four lighting zones that react to games.
Best for
- Buyers who put peak power first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Pebble Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
DTS:X is not available on Mac. It pairs 240W peak power with a subwoofer and DTS:X Ultra surround. LIGHTSYNC RGB reacts to supported games.
Its subwoofer and satellites can be placed apart for a wider soundstage. At 240W peak it is loud enough for a large room, and it connects over USB or Bluetooth. On peak power it leads this guide at 240W, ahead of the Hecate (32W).
You get a separate subwoofer here, which sets it apart from the Leviathan V2 X and its a two passive radiators subwoofer. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. Only the Hecate came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: 2.1 with subwoofer
- Peak power: 240W
- Inputs: USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth
- Subwoofer: Separate subwoofer
- Extras: DTS:X 2.0, 4 lighting zones
Pros
- DTS:X virtual surround on Windows
- Four game-driven lighting zones
- Separate subwoofer
- Highest peak power of the picks (240W)
Cons
- Costs more than the Pebble Pro at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Edifier's Hecate pair uses 2.75in drivers tilted up 10 degrees toward the listener.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2.75in drivers.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main driver rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It takes USB, AUX and Bluetooth. Its 2.75-inch drivers produce 16W plus 16W peak, and 12 RGB effects can sync with gameplay. It switches between Bluetooth and wired sources.
Matte panels and metal knobs resist scratches, and one-click EQ switches between Gaming, Movie and Music modes. On peak power it sits mid-pack at 32W: the G560 offers 240W, and the Pebble Pro comes in at 20W. You also get a 10-degree upward tilt.
Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Leviathan V2 X and the pricier G560, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Stereo pair
- Peak power: 32W
- Inputs: USB, AUX, Bluetooth 5.1
- Subwoofer: None
- Extras: 12 RGB effects, 10-degree tilt
Pros
- 2.75in drivers
- 10-degree upward tilt
- 12 RGB effects
- Peak power of 32W, ahead of the Pebble Pro
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
- Costs more than the Pebble Pro at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
Creative Pebble Pro USB-C Desktop Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Creative's Pebble Pro keeps the Pebble shape and adds BassFlex tuning, Bluetooth 5.3 and RGB lighting.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main driver is a problem.
Why we like it
Creative offers up to 10W RMS and 20W peak when powered from a suitable USB-C source. Built-in amps with audio processing drive noticeably more output than earlier Pebbles, and RGB lighting has three effects. It runs from USB-C.
BassFlex tuning extends the low end, and the drivers angle 45 degrees toward you. One USB cable carries power and audio. Its 20W peak power is the lowest in this group; the G560 leads at 240W.
Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Leviathan V2 X was closest. Peak power is its weakest area, and the G560 covers it better at 240W.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Stereo pair
- Peak power: 20W
- Inputs: USB (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm
- Subwoofer: None, BassFlex tuning
- Extras: RGB lighting, 3 effects
Pros
- Up to 10W RMS and 20W peak with a suitable USB-C power source
- BassFlex tuning for extended bass
- RGB lighting with three effects
- The lowest price among these speakers at the time of writing
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
- Peak power trails the G560 (240W)
Desktop Soundbar Form4 of 4
Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Leviathan V2 X runs power and sound over one USB-C cable, with two drivers and two passive radiators.
Best for
- Buyers who want a desktop soundbar form.
Skip if
- Pass if a published peak power matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It is small enough to sit under a monitor. Two full-range drivers and two passive radiators fit in the most compact bar in Razer's Leviathan V2 range. It pairs over low-latency Bluetooth 5.0, and Razer's software controls lighting and audio switching.
You get a two passive radiators subwoofer here, which sets it apart from the G560 and its a separate subwoofer. It also comes with a 90dB maximum volume. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games.
It was priced above the Pebble Pro and below the Hecate at the time of writing. There is no published peak power figure, whereas the G560 offers 240W.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Desktop soundbar
- Inputs: USB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0
- Subwoofer: Two passive radiators
- Extras: 14 Chroma RGB zones
Pros
- Two drivers with two passive radiators
- Power and audio over one USB-C cable
- 90dB maximum volume
- 14 Chroma RGB zones extras, the only one here
Cons
- No published peak power
- Costs more than the Pebble Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Speakers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side four speakers on form, peak power, inputs and subwoofer from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the G560 to the Leviathan V2 X, state form, inputs and subwoofer.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Leviathan V2 X gives no peak power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Pebble Pro ($50 to $100) to the G560 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in Gaming Speakers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Peak power
Here peak power runs from 20W on the Pebble Pro to 240W on the G560. For less, the Hecate is the runner-up at 32W. No figure for the Leviathan V2 X.
What to check at home
Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games.
Features beyond the spec table
The Hecate: a 10-degree upward tilt. The Pebble Pro: BassFlex tuning for extended bass. The Leviathan V2 X: power and audio over one USB-C cable.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the Pebble Pro and the Leviathan V2 X; $100 to $150 buys the Hecate; $150 to $250 buys the G560 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put peak power first: the G560. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the Pebble Pro. Buyers who want a desktop soundbar form: the Leviathan V2 X.
Read wattage carefully
Peak figures are much higher than RMS (continuous) figures, and brands mix them. Compare like with like, and treat wattage as a rough guide rather than a measure of quality.
How to Choose Gaming Speakers
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put peak power first | G560 | The highest peak power here (240W) |
| Buyers who want 2.75in drivers | Hecate | 2.75in drivers |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Pebble Pro | The lowest price among these speakers at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want a desktop soundbar form | Leviathan V2 X | A desktop soundbar form |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The G560 leads on peak power at 240W, ahead of the Hecate at 32W. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Speaker | Form | Peak power | Inputs | Subwoofer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G560 | 2.1 with subwoofer | 240W | USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth | Separate subwoofer |
| Hecate | Stereo pair | 32W | USB, AUX, Bluetooth 5.1 | None |
| Pebble Pro | Stereo pair | 20W | USB (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm | None, BassFlex tuning |
| Leviathan V2 X | Desktop soundbar | Not listed | USB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0 | Two passive radiators |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Pebble Pro was the lowest-priced pick and the G560 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Speakers |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Pebble Pro, Leviathan V2 X |
| About $100 to $150 | Hecate |
| About $150 to $250 | G560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Hecate compare with the G560 on peak power?
The G560 leads at 240W, with the Hecate at 32W. The Pebble Pro is at the other end of this group with 20W. The Leviathan V2 X doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the G560 worth paying more than the Pebble Pro?
On paper it adds peak power (240W against 20W). The Pebble Pro was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the G560 the Highest Peak Power?
It earns the label for the highest peak power here (240W). It suits anyone who put peak power first.
What should I check before buying the Leviathan V2 X?
Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Desktop Soundbar Form pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the G560 and the Hecate apart?
The G560: DTS:X virtual surround on Windows. The Hecate: 2.75in drivers. The Pebble Pro: up to 10W RMS and 20W peak with a suitable USB-C power source.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the G560, chosen for the highest peak power here (240W). Look at the Hecate for 2.75in drivers, the Pebble Pro for the lowest price among these speakers at the time of writing and the Leviathan V2 X for a desktop soundbar form if those matter more to you.
Angle speakers toward your ears.